Commercial Manager

Role Overview

The Branch Commercial Manager is responsible for protecting the financial performance and contractual position of the business on each project. The role focuses on improving margins, reducing commercial exposure, and ensuring strict control over contract administration and project costs, especially on construction contracts governed by FIDIC.

This position demands a highly detail-oriented approach. Accuracy in reporting, complete contractual compliance, prevention of claim time-bar risks, and tight control of cash flow are central to the job. The successful candidate will act as the commercial safeguard for the branch by ensuring variations are identified, certificates are recovered, and subcontractor obligations are managed with discipline.

Key Outputs

• Careful administration of contracts and active management of claims.
• Preparation and control of contract reconciliation activities.
• Improving cash flow and managing the full payment cycle.
• Handling procurement processes and subcontract agreements.

Education and Experience Requirements

The role requires a B.Sc. or B.Tech in Quantity Surveying or Construction Management, along with a Diploma in Construction Law. Professional registration as a Pr.QS with the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession is also required.

Applicants should have at least 15 years of experience in civil engineering construction, with strong practical exposure to roads, bridges, and earthworks. A minimum of 7 years must have been spent in a Commercial Manager position with a large contractor. Experience with development finance institution or government-funded projects, including those supported by AfDB, World Bank, or EIB, is essential. Strong command of the FIDIC suite of contracts, including Red, Yellow, and Silver books, as well as NEC3/4, is expected.

Technical Skills

The candidate must be highly competent in RIB CCS (Candy) and Buildsmart. They should also be able to review Bills of Quantities in detail to identify risks and value-engineering opportunities, build advanced cash flow models in Excel, and create clear, accurate, and presentation-ready reports.

Additional Information

This role is based in Gaborone, Botswana and is a full-time, onsite position.

The role is described as requiring a zero-defect mindset, with exceptional attention to detail and uncompromising commercial control.

The role is aimed at safeguarding the company from commercial risk while ensuring every contractual entitlement is captured and every payment is tracked with precision.

Terminology and Expectations

The branch is expected to operate with strict commercial discipline, and the person in this position will be accountable for maintaining that standard across all project activities.